Naval architect
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
- Usually work in offices, workshops and shipyards, and may travel locally, nationally and internationally
- Need to be creative, accurate and methodical
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Design ships, boats and yachts
- Oversee vessel building and repair
- Manage engineers and technicians
- Check equipment and systems
- Set project schedules
- Review documents
- Prepare contracts, disclosures and applications
Outlook
New Zealand’s marine sector needs expertise to design, maintain and improve vessels for transport, fishing, defence, tourism and recreational boating. Industry trends include reducing emissions, improving fuel efficiency, using alternative fuels and developing smarter vessel systems. Globally, stricter environmental rules and new digital design tools are changing ship design. Opportunities can vary with shipbuilding, refit and infrastructure projects.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong engineering and problem-solving ability
- Knowledge of vessel design, stability and marine safety
- Confidence using computer-aided design and analysis tools
- Careful attention to standards, regulations and quality
- Ability to balance safety, performance, cost and environmental impact
- Clear communication and teamwork with technical specialists and clients
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.